Salem Al Fakir
Encyclopedia
Lars Salem Al Fakir is a Swedish
soul
/pop
musician
and singer of Syria
n origin.
at the age of four and subsequently toured Russia
as a solo violinist at the age of fourteen, but returned to Sweden to study jazz piano.
In the autumn of 2006 Salem released his first single, the "Dream Girl" EP, and his debut album was released in January 2007 to commercial success and critical acclaim. The album was recorded in Salem's basement and bedroom, and he was solely responsible for writing, mixing and producing the album. Salem also played all instruments on the album himself apart from horns played by his brother Sami, and drums on "Dream Girl" and "Bright Side Of Life" played by Tim Lundblad.
"Good Song" and "This Is Who I Am" were also released as singles. Dance producers Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso have also released their own remix of "It's True".
His re-recording of "It's Only You", a track from his debut album - now titled "It's Only You (Part II)" - is featured in a commercial for the Volvo XC60
car. An EP featuring "It's Only You Part II", "Twelve Fingers", "Dream Girl" and "It's True" was released in several European countries in November 2008.
Salem released his single "Astronaut" in Sweden on 4 March 2009. This was followed by the album of the same name on 18 March 2009.
"Roxy" was the next single to be released from the album "Astronaut".
On 16 November 2009, Salem Al Fakir was announced as a wildcard participant in Melodifestivalen 2010
, the Swedish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
. He took part with the song "Keep on Walking", which he wrote and composed himself.
On 6 February 2010 Salem competed in the first heat of Melodifestivalen and qualified directly to the final in Globen, Stockholm on 13 March 2010 when he reached second place with "Keep on Walking".
"4 O'Clock" was the next single released from his third album "Ignore This". The song was also featured in a television advertising campaign for the Telia phone company in 2010.
In 2008 Salem played live in Norway and Denmark, where his debut album "This Is Who I Am" was also released. Salem also collaborated with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra at three concerts in Berwaldhallen, Stockholm in November 2008.
Salem undertook a short Swedish tour in April 2009 and then played a showcase gig at the Viper Room in Los Angeles during the MUSEXPO international music business event. During summer 2009, Salem played several Swedish dates including a further appearance at this year's birthday concert for Crown Princess Victoria. He also appeared on the "Polar Music Prize" ceremony which this year honoured Peter Gabriel; Salem sang "Solsbury Hill" at the beginning of this ceremony.
Towards the end of 2009 Salem played a short series of live dates in Sweden, culminating in three concerts at Berwaldhallen, Stockholm in December 2009 where he performed with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
In summer 2010 Salem undertook a summer tour of Sweden to promote his third album "Ignore This".
scholarship, awarded in memory of the late Swedish jazz singer.
In October 2007 Salem received the Swedish music publishers' award for "Best Newcomer".
In January 2008 Salem was announced as this year's winner of the Expressen
newspaper's "Spelmannen" prize.
Salem Al Fakir was nominated in seven categories for the Swedish Grammis
which took place on 9 January 2008, at which he also performed "It's True". The categories are: best album ("This Is Who I Am" / newcomer / producer / male artist / song ("Good Song") / composer / lyricist. He won four awards, for best male artist, best newcomer, best composer and best producer, the most awards for any one artist at this year's ceremony.
Salem was also nominated in the newspaper Aftonbladet
's "Rockbjörnen" music awards in the best newcomer category, whilst he received two nominations in Swedish radio station P3's "P3 Guld" awards, in the best male artist and best live act categories. However he failed to win any of these awards.
for his song "Keep on Walking"
, whereas his mother, Inger, is from Sweden. Salem is the fourth of six siblings (Aminah, Ayman, Nassim, Salem, Sami and Fares). Nassim Al Fakir (known as Nassim) (born on 21 Match 1977, is a musicians and television personality particularly with children program Bolibompa on Swedish television SVT
. He is also a comedian with following particularly online.
)
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
/pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and singer of Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
n origin.
Early years
Salem learned to play violinViolin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
at the age of four and subsequently toured Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
as a solo violinist at the age of fourteen, but returned to Sweden to study jazz piano.
Recording artist
During his career he has worked with artists including Robyn, Wille Crafoord and Snook. Along with elder brother Nassim, he is a member of the FakirKarlsson trio which teamed up with fellow jazz musicians the Örjan Hultén Trio and have released two albums as H3FK, most recently "Nubiska Nätter" released in 2008.In the autumn of 2006 Salem released his first single, the "Dream Girl" EP, and his debut album was released in January 2007 to commercial success and critical acclaim. The album was recorded in Salem's basement and bedroom, and he was solely responsible for writing, mixing and producing the album. Salem also played all instruments on the album himself apart from horns played by his brother Sami, and drums on "Dream Girl" and "Bright Side Of Life" played by Tim Lundblad.
"Good Song" and "This Is Who I Am" were also released as singles. Dance producers Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso have also released their own remix of "It's True".
His re-recording of "It's Only You", a track from his debut album - now titled "It's Only You (Part II)" - is featured in a commercial for the Volvo XC60
Volvo XC60
The Volvo XC60 is a compact crossover SUV produced by Volvo Cars at the Volvo Cars factory in Ghent, Belgium and is based on Volvo Y20 platform. In 2009, the Volvo XC60 was Volvo's best selling car.-XC60 concept :...
car. An EP featuring "It's Only You Part II", "Twelve Fingers", "Dream Girl" and "It's True" was released in several European countries in November 2008.
Salem released his single "Astronaut" in Sweden on 4 March 2009. This was followed by the album of the same name on 18 March 2009.
"Roxy" was the next single to be released from the album "Astronaut".
On 16 November 2009, Salem Al Fakir was announced as a wildcard participant in Melodifestivalen 2010
Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Sweden have confirmed that they will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010, to be held in Oslo, Norway, sending their 50th entry to the contest since their debut in 1958....
, the Swedish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010
Eurovision Song Contest 2010
The Eurovision Song Contest 2010 was the 55th annual Eurovision Song Contest, broadcast from the Telenor Arena in Bærum, Greater Oslo, Norway. It was the third time Norway had hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1986 and 1996. The 2010 winner was Germany with Lena singing "Satellite",...
. He took part with the song "Keep on Walking", which he wrote and composed himself.
On 6 February 2010 Salem competed in the first heat of Melodifestivalen and qualified directly to the final in Globen, Stockholm on 13 March 2010 when he reached second place with "Keep on Walking".
"4 O'Clock" was the next single released from his third album "Ignore This". The song was also featured in a television advertising campaign for the Telia phone company in 2010.
Touring
Salem played a number of live concerts and festivals in Sweden in 2007 and was also part of the "Parksommar - Just Another Summer" tour with Moneybrother and Sakert. Also summer 2007, Salem appeared at the "Grattis Victoria" concert which took place to celebrate the 30th birthday of Swedish Crown Princess Victoria. In 2010 Salem premiered a new song "All Day Love", which was specially written for Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling, at a concert in Stockholm Konserthuset on the eve of their wedding in June 2010.In 2008 Salem played live in Norway and Denmark, where his debut album "This Is Who I Am" was also released. Salem also collaborated with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra at three concerts in Berwaldhallen, Stockholm in November 2008.
Salem undertook a short Swedish tour in April 2009 and then played a showcase gig at the Viper Room in Los Angeles during the MUSEXPO international music business event. During summer 2009, Salem played several Swedish dates including a further appearance at this year's birthday concert for Crown Princess Victoria. He also appeared on the "Polar Music Prize" ceremony which this year honoured Peter Gabriel; Salem sang "Solsbury Hill" at the beginning of this ceremony.
Towards the end of 2009 Salem played a short series of live dates in Sweden, culminating in three concerts at Berwaldhallen, Stockholm in December 2009 where he performed with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
In summer 2010 Salem undertook a summer tour of Sweden to promote his third album "Ignore This".
Awards and prizes
In September 2007 Salem was named as one of the recipients of the Monica ZetterlundMonica Zetterlund
Eva Monica Zetterlund was a Swedish singer and actress.-Biography:Zetterlund was a singer particularly noted for her jazz work. She began by learning the classic jazz songs from radio and records, initially not knowing the language and what they sang about in English...
scholarship, awarded in memory of the late Swedish jazz singer.
In October 2007 Salem received the Swedish music publishers' award for "Best Newcomer".
In January 2008 Salem was announced as this year's winner of the Expressen
Expressen
Expressen is one of two nationwide evening tabloid newspapers in Sweden, the other being Aftonbladet. Expressen was founded in 1944; its symbol is a wasp and slogans "it stings" or "Expressen to your rescue", always on the reader's side....
newspaper's "Spelmannen" prize.
Salem Al Fakir was nominated in seven categories for the Swedish Grammis
Grammis
The Grammis Awards are the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards. The awards ceremony is generally held each year in February in Stockholm.The awards were established in 1969 and awarded until 1972 when they were cancelled....
which took place on 9 January 2008, at which he also performed "It's True". The categories are: best album ("This Is Who I Am" / newcomer / producer / male artist / song ("Good Song") / composer / lyricist. He won four awards, for best male artist, best newcomer, best composer and best producer, the most awards for any one artist at this year's ceremony.
Salem was also nominated in the newspaper Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet
Aftonbladet is a Swedish tabloid founded by Lars Johan Hierta in 1830 during the modernization of Sweden. It is one of the larger daily newspapers in the Nordic countries. Aftonbladet is owned by the Swedish Trade Union Confederation and Norwegian media group Schibsted, and its editorial page...
's "Rockbjörnen" music awards in the best newcomer category, whilst he received two nominations in Swedish radio station P3's "P3 Guld" awards, in the best male artist and best live act categories. However he failed to win any of these awards.
Awards and niminations
In 2010, Salem Al Fakir won the Composer Award for the Melodifestivalen-related Swedish Marcel Bezençon AwardsMarcel Bezençon Awards
The Marcel Bezençon Awards were first handed out during the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 in Tallinn, Estonia honoringthe best competing songs in the final...
for his song "Keep on Walking"
Personal life
Salem Al Fakir's father Nabil is of Syrian origin and originated from DamascusDamascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, whereas his mother, Inger, is from Sweden. Salem is the fourth of six siblings (Aminah, Ayman, Nassim, Salem, Sami and Fares). Nassim Al Fakir (known as Nassim) (born on 21 Match 1977, is a musicians and television personality particularly with children program Bolibompa on Swedish television SVT
Sveriges Television
Sveriges Television AB , Sweden's Television, is a national television broadcaster based in Sweden, funded by a compulsory fee to be paid by all television owners...
. He is also a comedian with following particularly online.
Albums
- 2007: This Is Who I Am (#1)
- 2009: AstronautAstronaut (Salem Al Fakir album)Astronaut is the second studio album by Salem Al Fakir, released on March 18, 2009.-Track listing:#"Cold Shower" - 3:37#"Astronaut" - 3:09#"Now's the Time" -3:29#"It's Only You " - 3:30#"Roxy" - 4:04#"Bluest Eyes" - 3:43...
(#7) - 2010: Ignore ThisIgnore ThisIgnore This is the third studio album from Swedish singer Salem Al Fakir, released 2010.- Track listing :- External links :* *...
(1#)
Singles
(all top positions in the Swedish Singles ChartSverigetopplistan
Sverigetopplistan, earlier known as Topplistan and Hitlistan and other names, is since October 2007 the Swedish national record chart, based on sales data from Swedish Recording Industry Association ....
)
- 2006: "Dream Girl" (#25)
- 2006: "Good Song" (#36)
- 2007: "It's True" (Axwell & Sebastian Ingrosso vs. Salem Al Fakir) (#38)
- 2008: "It's True" (#42)
- 2008: "This Is Who I Am" (#43)
- 2008: "It's Only You, Part II" (#41)
- 2010: "Keep on Walking" (#1)
- 2010: "4 O'Clock" (#48)
- 2010: "Split My Personality" (-)
- 2011: "I'm So Happy" (with Josephine BornebuschJosephine BornebuschLeyla Jerrie Josephine Bornebusch is a Swedish actress who has done numerous films and television series in Sweden. She was an actor in the comedy show Playa del Sol on SVT1...
)